Madonna’s MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) nominations have increased from 11 to 13.
The Bring Your Love singer previously led the nominations – which were announced in August – with 11 but after MTV dropped four new categories, Best Long-Form Video, Best Group, Best Album and Song of Summer, she has increased her lead.
Along with her previous 11 nominations, Madonna is up for Best Long-Form Video and Best Album. All voting for the four extra categories will be hosted on MTV’s Instagram Stories.
Taylor Swift has increased from nine to 11 nominations, giving her a clear path to becoming the most decorated artist in VMA history. A single win would push her past the current record. Swift’s new nods include Best Album and Song of Summer.
Sabrina Carpenter and Ariana Grande, who each had seven nods previously, now move to nine and eight respectively, while Bruno Mars moves from five to six nominations.
Best Group will see BLACKPINK, BTS, CORTIS, FLO, Fuerza Regida, Geese, KATSEYE and Twenty One Pilots compete, while Best Long Form Video features Charli xcx’s Music, Fashion, Film, Ella Langley’s Choosin’ Texas, GENER8ION’s STORM starring Yung Lean and Madonna’s CONFESSIONS II—The Film.
The Best Album category features Drake’s Iceman, Madonna’s CONFESSIONS II, Olivia Dean’s The Art of Loving, Olivia Rodrigo’s you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love, Sabrina Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend and Taylor Swift’s THE LIFE OF A SHOWGIRL.
And Song of Summer includes tracks from by Charli xcx, Langley, KATSEYE, Dean, Rodrigo, Carpenter, Swift, Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars, Latto f/Doja Cat, Morgan Wallen, Slayyyter, SOMBR, STELLA LEFTY, and Tame Impala and JENNIE.
Meanwhile, it was previously revealed that Madonna will perform at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) for the first time in 23 years.
The Queen of Pop will open the show in Los Angeles later this month in what will be her first performance at the ceremony since she famously kissed Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera during the 2003 show.
Madonna has a rich history with the VMAs as she has won 19 awards in total, while her performance of Like a Virgin during the inaugural ceremony in 1984 is considered to be a groundbreaking moment in pop culture history.
The 2026 VMAs will take place on September 27 and will be hosted by Snoop Dogg.
It marks the first time that the awards bash will be staged in Los Angeles since 2017.
Madonna’s performance comes after she released her acclaimed album Confessions II in July – the success of which left her “grateful and surprised”.
The Vogue hitmaker, 68, posted on Instagram after the record topped the US Billboard Chart: “Words cannot express how grateful and surprised I am by the incredible reception Confessions on a Dance Floor has received!!
“Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this and who has helped make this dream come true. Especially my Fans. The Goodwill and positivity has been incredible. I’m still pinching myself.
“I can’t believe it’s #1 all around the world.My dream was to make people dance this summer!! To bring people JOY! Dreams do come true. Thanks and love!”
